CRUSHED GRAPES MINISTRY |
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Frank B. Smith, Director |
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March 13, 2006
Dear friends and family,
The love of our dear Heavenly Father and the
fellowship of the saints is our inheritance as the Body of Christ here and
now on the earth. Later we will experience even better things, but right
here and now this love is our portion and our very great reward. The world
and its seductive pull is enticing those who do not have eyes to see the
kingdom of God. Many are sliding on the slippery slope of despair, fear,
and hopelessness. Beloved, let us keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and
finisher of our faith, and encourage one another as the day approaches.
Also, throw a little salt on the slope for Godly traction.
Sarah bravely continues in her tests and
trials of healing and deliverance from pain. The ultra-sound exam showed
that blood was flowing through the nine or more tumors on her lymphatic
system, which is a possible good sign they are not malignant. However,
this very slender girl lost ten pounds in the last thirty days. Some of
that can be from the de-toxing as poisons are stored in our fat cells, but
this is not a good thing. I will keep you updated as the battle continues
to unfold.
What is the church supposed to look
like? (I was going to go into an introduction about the New Wine and
Wineskins conference, but was happily interrupted by the Spirit with the
answer – JESUS!) The church is supposed to look like Jesus. It is
His Body. It is His people gathering unto Him. It’s in whatever
configuration His people are in at the time. It is as diverse and varied
as fingernails, eyeballs, and nose hairs. If someone sees one of the
church gatherings, they have seen Jesus, or at least a part of Him.
The church is alive. Living stones or cells
make up His Body. The unit of completeness is the city, or the church of
the city. Jesus governs His church through elders in mutual submission to
each other (Let it be soon, Jesus.) All of our man made organizations and
systems are like scaffolding, crutches, or braces. The life of Jesus flows
through the body, not through the paraphernalia that is cluttering up the
real church. Maranatha, Lord Jesus!
Nate and JoAnne Krupp have been spearheading a
conference in Salem Oregon, April 22 and 23. It is called, New Wine and
New Wine Skins for the Twenty-First Century. I am one of the “trumpet
blowers” who have been asked to share. If you are interested or led by the
Spirit to attend, please open the attachment with all the pertinent
information, or just go to http://www.newchristianparadigms.org/
God bless you and use you mightily with the
gifts He has given in whatever configuration you find yourself. Let the
light shine, the water flow, and the salt be sprinkled (liberally).
With love in Christ, Frank Smith
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